Service Learning in Guatemala

Setting off to Guatemala I knew they lacked the funds America has. But being there and meeting families I saw how much they live without, yet still have so much happiness and love to give towards one another and outsiders. Their connection within runs much deeper than most America families; great grandparents, aunts and uncles, brother and sisters, husbands and wives, and cousins all living under one household not because it is just how they are able to survive such a poor economy. But, because their heritage is such an important factor to their lives. Seeing moms and daughters making art on clothes and blankets from the methods taught by their mothers before them with love and respect for their history was truly an eye opening experience.

After previously traveling to Honduras, I decided that I would also like to serve in Guatemala. During this trip I learned so many things. I loved the experience, the culture, the people, the ones I traveled with, and just being able to give to others. I believe that I have been called help those in need. I am blessed enough to be able to help those in need so why would I not? And in the end, I get so much more from them than they get from me. I am blessed and honored to be able to participate in these trip and I hope I can go on many more in the future. I believe the biggest blessing from this trip was going with my mom. She has been there for all of my firsts so I was blessed to be able to see her first time out of the country.

It is amazing to realize the things we take for granted because it is understood or so easily accessible to us, as American citizens, such as healthcare, hot water, safe water to drink, just flushing the commode is even a commodity if they are even lucky enough to have one. Heath care is something we just take for granted because it is something we have done and just know to do. In other parts of the world, this is not something that is taught. The importance of having hot water to be clean. The importance of brushing your teeth. Having a place, a center or clinic, to go to and learn about how important it is to take the right medications and see the doctor regularly for newborns. The people are always happy, smiling, inviting, and willing to talk no matter what their situation is. They appreciate any help that we as GCAC can give. They are also very curious about our culture and our knowledge on many different things. GCAC does an amazing outreach. A service that provides help to many different people in many different areas of the world. It is an eye-opening experience to be on a trip with GCAC that I feel many would love to take. It isn’t all work and no play but it is a lot of work with you reaping benefits from it as well. I think in many cases that the traveler will gain more than the recipient. To experience the real thing of helping people that need something a simple as a water filtration system from two 5 gallon buckets or make an herb garden from recycling jugs or just painting a wall that they need painted, something so easy that does not seem like a lot to you can mean the world to someone else. You learn so much about other cultures and ways of life in those cultures that you will appreciate where you live and how to improve their situations. GCAC is an outreach that is absolutely amazing in the things that they do and provide in the places they go to. You will have a great experience helping out the world and memories you will remember forever.

This week was a splended time. We spent the week doing things such as serving the community, hanging out with the kids, connecting with all the other members on the trip with me, etc. It was the best 7 days I have been involved in so far.

The trip was great in service to the people of Guatemala. Many citizens have few resources and lack basic medical services. Global Citizen Adventure Corps stepped in to assist with dental hygiene products at one small school. So many needs to fill, but, the relationship was built. Next trip is to assist indigenous women with their needs. Additionally, my fellow travelers saw Mayan ruins and witnessed a town’s festival. It is great to travel, learn and serve.

The country of Guatemala was truly amazing. I can not begin to describe the impact this country had on me. We learned so much about the community, health, and safety practices to use in other countries, as well as the people living in Guatemala. The community was present and there for one another throughout the cities, we went to. You saw families who stuck together even though they had no money or food. They supported each other in whatever endeavor; as a family, they conquered it together. It is important to consider your health and safety when going to another country such as Guatemala. All students and travelers from the US had to be careful of what they drank or ate because it all had to be properly washed and prepared with clean hands and other proper disinfecting procedures for us to consume it. We had to be careful with receiving or consuming other foods or drinks outside of the Seminary where we stayed as well. We also implemented health information and procedures for the Guatemalan community. On this trip, we taught children in schools the importance of dental hygiene by learning how to properly brush their teeth. We also provided these children with fluoride as well as an examination of their teeth for the dentist that regularly visits their school to know which kids needed extractions or cavities filled. These kids have little to nothing and the least of their parent's worries is to get them a toothbrush, so being able and a part of giving simple items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste to these children was so rewarding. These children were so joyful and enlightened by the simple gesture of receiving a toothbrush. These children were also eager to learn and better themselves by learning to brush their teeth and receive fluoride and an examination. This taught me to be grateful for the things I have because these kids were joyful with nothing before receiving the toothbrush and were happier after receiving some little item we consider a necessity in our everyday lives. I believe that there are people without certain things they need to live not just in third-world countries, but here in the United States and even in our communities too. I now know how to properly make a difference in my community because of this trip and opportunity. By doing it at a larger global level, I now know how to transfer what I learned from Guatemala and the children we impacted to my everyday life and community. I could collect blankets or coats and give them to people in my community who have little as a way to mimic what this trip has taught me. A little goes a long way which is proved by this experience. These children were so happy to receive so little, but these two little items could impact their lives and health forever. My heart and mind have been forever changed thanks to this amazing, life-changing experience. I can not be more thankful to Bethel University Global Studies, Global Citizens Adventure Corps, and the people of Guatemala for allowing me to learn, experience, and make a difference on such a bigger level way more than myself.

On March 5th, Bethel University Global Studies and Global Citizen Adventure Corps took a group of college students to Guatemala. In Guatemala, we served with the Cumberland Presbyterian church and a local school. The Church assisted us with transportation, support, and supplies to help with the children at the school. Along with volunteering at the school, the group and I learned about the culture of Guatemala through first-hand experiences. We met with Mayan women and learned the story and importance of weaving and buying from the women in Guatemala. We also learned how much Guatemalans valued buying and staying local to their culture. Many Guatemalans only survive on one quetzal a day per person in their family. These families usually have unstable jobs and are not being paid daily. Purchasing from locals and from women only supported the family and provided a higher daily income. We also learned the importance of their dishes and how to make traditional food. Our group helped the chef at the seminary, and we felt how hard the chef had worked to keep everyone fed every day. Guatemala opened my eyes to struggles that I was unaware were happening. Our primary goal in Guatemala was to help at the local school. The children at this school came from rough and poor homes. They were not given the healthcare that they needed. A dentist came to the seminary where we stayed and showed us how to teach the kids to brush their teeth. The dentist also instructed us on how to give a dental examination so that when she returned to the school, she could quickly fill any cavities. As an American, I grew up going to the dentist twice a year and having easy access to fluoride. Sadly, the majority of these kids were only seeing the dentist once every few years. Many people in the United States do not get cavities due to our easy access. However, poor dental hygiene and cavities were the norms during our volunteering. We saw nearly 150 kids and gave each a dental kit, examination, and fluoride treatment. Along with dental care, we gave each group of kids a music lesson, and volunteers from the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Guatemala gave the children a lecture in kind words and behavior. Since many of these children came from families who did not care about their education or possibly abusive households, we wanted to show them that the language or actions they see are not okay. The dental examinations and lessons were highly beneficial to the community. In the United States, we take advantage of our health care and how quickly we can get it. These children are not allowed that advantage at all. Our group gave them relief and care they will keep with them for the rest of their lives. Our help will stay with them for years. Our assistance also allowed the dentist to fix the children’s teeth faster and therefore allowing her to help more children in the future. I also believe our mini-lectures will stick with the children and help guide them to a better life. Children need a sturdy and reliable place to grow as decent people. I hope our lessons show the children that the world needs kindness. I hope it opens their eyes that people do care and that they can find a family at the school or the Church. Giving these children a safe place would be a gift that will change their lives for the better.